Dear Friends,
I would like to share the story of one of the woman who has attending our Monday night support group off and on for many years. I first met Beth when she requested an in-person meeting with me about her son. She was desperate to know how to handle watching him spiral down into deeper and deeper addiction, along with toxic relationships. Learning about enabling and that saying "no" may be the most loving thing we can do when someone is in addiction was very difficult for her but she courageously chose to listen and put into practice what we talked about.
Beth has been dealing with a terrible illness that has led to her being unable to get out of bed or even sit up. Her "normal" life came to a grinding halt, but Beth has chosen to trust Jesus for every moment of every day. Yes, there are many times of discouragement and questions as to why God would allow her to get ill, but God is using her honesty and her faith to encourage other people in their walk with God. She recently had the joy of having the wedding for her son and his fiancé at her house so that she would be able to attend from her bed in the living room.
As you read Beth's story, would you pray for her? There is little funding for ME/CFS research and some of that is threatened with the budget cuts. There is a high rate of suicide among those who suffer from this illness. Beth is being a light in the online support community and also to the medical personnel who care for her. Beth has been strengthened in her faith through being a part of the LTTL group, and God has put her in a strategic position to speak hope to those suffering around her.
Beth and David
A Mama’s Heart
"I was excited about life. I had so many dreams and goals. I was excited about my new career path. I was 44 years old, just finished school, and doing internship jobs as a certified drug and alcohol counselor part time and massage therapy part time. I just finished the process of becoming a foster mom. And I was elected as the Closet coordinator at the homeless shelter. I was the Nursery leader at my church and doing Prison Ministry at the Ocean County Jail. I was leading a Bible study every week for three years. My life was full of life and laughter, yet I was constantly worried about my son. I was a single mother and my son was 23. He was in a relationship that was toxic, and he was masking his pain with alcohol and marijuana. My son had recently been saved, and I knew God had him, but it still hurt me to see him hurting. His girlfriend wanted to keep him away from me, and sometimes she was able to. He still loved me, but I felt like I was losing him. All I did was pray for him every day.
In the summer of 2020, I became sick. I was weak and worn out from doing the smallest task. I went to hospitals, countless doctors, had numerous tests done, and years went by with no answers. I questioned why God wanted me to stop everything all the time. Eventually I had to accept this was his plan and purpose for my life. In December of 2022, I was finally diagnosed with ME/CFS, a severe form of chronic fatigue syndrome, for which medicine has no treatment and no cure. I continued to decline and became bedridden in July 2023. My son was in yet another very toxic relationship, and I missed him so much. My heart was breaking. I never stopped praying for him. We still talked but not as much as when we used to. I especially missed talking about God with him. We previously had so many conversations about God.
In December 2023, my son came home. He broke up with his girlfriend and surrendered his life back to Jesus. We became so close again, but I knew deep down he was still sad and struggling. He moved out in April, started a new job, and that is where he met his now wife when she came in and bought a car in July 2024. They both grew closer to God in their relationship. It was so beautiful to watch. My prayers for David were not only answered, but God did exceedingly and abundantly more than I had asked. He brought him the most beautiful, sweetest, caring woman in the world. My heart is so full. I have laid here in my bed for a year and a half, and I still miss my former life every single day. I lost all of my independence, but I still would not trade it for the world to have my son be where he is now. God gave me the most amazing son anyone could ask for. I could not be any more blessed. We are closer than ever, talk all the time, and he comes over every week. We always talk about God again and what he has been doing in our lives, and it is so beautiful. I am so amazed and overjoyed to see how God has answered my prayers. I used to wonder why God doesn’t heal me, especially when so many people are praying for my healing, but he has healed me. He healed a Mama’s heart .”
As a non-profit ministry leader, I have the job of making known the financial needs of the ministry, and yet that is one of my least-favorite things to do. Love Them To Life fills a vital role in the lives of those who have a loved one in addiction through education and support. Unfortunately, it takes money to pay the bills. If you would like to be a part of what God is doing through this ministry by your prayer support and by your financial support, I would be most grateful. All donations are tax deductible and are used solely for the expenses of the ministry. The donation link is as follows:
https://lovethemtolife.com/donate
Also, if you would like me to present a seminar on addiction in your church or speak to a group, please contact me at lovethemtolife@gmail.com.
My book Set Free: Finding Truth and Hope When a Loved One is Addicted is available through the major book sellers in print, ebook, and audio formats. Perhaps you know someone who could benefit from reading the book. The Amazon link is here.
-Cherri